Everyone in the Trail’s End family lives 10 for 2, and there’s one thing that makes those 10 months we’re not in our summer home go by even faster – camp reunions! This past weekend, we hosted three get-togethers, and we all had an amazing time reuniting with old friends and meeting new ones we’ll be spending the next summer with.
Meeting friends, old and new!
On Saturday, we welcomed our current 5th and 7th graders to Bounce Trampoline Sports in Syosset. Catching up with camp friends is always great, but it’s even better when it’s done while bouncing on trampolines, climbing rock walls, and exploring a high ropes course – it’s almost like being back at Outdoor Adventure!
On Sunday, we welcomed our youngest campers (those currently in 1st through 4th grades) to AMF Syosset Lanes for a bowling party. It was the perfect opportunity to meet up with camp friends both new and old! We loved seeing old friends come together and watch new friendships form over bowling and ice breakers. The winter reunion is just one step in our transition program for new campers, in which introductions are made and friendships begin to form. These introductions encourage their success during their first summer at Trail’s End Camp.
Raffle time!
Of course, no Trail’s End Camp winter get-together would be complete without some raffles! All campers got a chance to win some exciting prizes, from TEC swag to help them show off their camp spirit year round, to #TEC2020 prizes such as ice cream sundae or pizza parties for their bunk, breakfast and boating down at the lake, or the opportunity to have their Group Leader clean their bunk! 
It’s not a reunion without some of our TEC staff family!
Not only did our campers get a chance to reunite with one another – they also got to meet up with some of their favorite Trail’s End staff members! We had members of our non-bunk staff team join us for the reunions, and we couldn’t be more grateful. It wouldn’t be a true Trail’s End Camp reunion without them! 
Giving back this holiday season!
This year we started an exciting new Trail’s End tradition! As part of TEC Cares, we encouraged our Trail’s End families to bring a new toy to the reunion for our first ever toy drive. These toys were collected and given to the John Theissen Children’s Foundation, which collects thousands of items each year and donates them to sick and underprivileged children in over 180 hospitals and childcare facilities. We collected over 100 brand new toys during our three get-togethers, and we’re so grateful to all the families that helped us give back to the local community!
Now we’re looking forward to the Florida reunion this February, and we’re constantly counting down the days until summer is finally here again!
